Redondo is already in prison, serving a life sentence without the chance for parole for the 2009 murder of Ernie Singh, seven months before Shuhandler was murdered. Redondo pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the Singh case.

Redondo also spent time in prison from 2005 to 2008 for charges out of Gila County for abuse, aggravated harassment, aggravated assault and a marijuana violation.

He was not present in the courtroom on Wednesday.

State gives opening statement

During their opening statement, attorneys representing the state provided their description of the shooting and chase.

Deputy Maricopa County prosecutor Juan Martinez told the 16-member jury that Shuhandler stopped a truck after noticing it had an obstructed license plate.

“We know that Lt. Shuhandler had some conversation with the defendant,” Martinez said.

He stated that the officer had an insurance card with a note referring to Redondo. According to police reports, dispatchers notified Shuhandler that Redondo may have outstanding warrants. When Shuhandler went to the passenger-side door, Redondo shot the officer in the face, police say.

"The officer was gasping for breath and gurgling," Martinez said of how officers found Shuhandler. Shuhandler’s gun was still inside his holster.

Martinez described to the jury the chase, which partly occurred on U.S. 60 and ended after the truck ran out of gas. Redondo shot at and threw objects at officers, including a rake and an air compressor, Martinez said.

The defense decided to defer its opening arguments, and the prosecution began calling its witnesses to the stand.

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Officer gives testimony

Former Mesa Police Department patrol Sgt. Christopher Toth testified. He said he was one of the first officers on the scene. Toth is now operations lieutenant at the Police Department.

According to his testimony, he was across the street talking with another Mesa officer and noticed the traffic stop taking place. At this location, one side of the street is in the Gilbert town limits and the other side is in Mesa's city limits.

Toth said he recognized it was a Gilbert officer because of the location and the pattern of the lights on the vehicle.

Attorney Daniel Raynak, representing Redondo, questioned why Toth did not help Shuhandler when first noticing the traffic stop. Toth had the authority to do business in Gilbert as a state-certified officer.

Toth explained he thought it was a normal traffic stop and was finishing a conversation with another officer. He said he was planning to go to the area afterward.

Toth said he was alerted that something was wrong when he heard "a sharp gunshot."

After driving over, a man ran toward him and was "hysterical," Toth said in his testimony. The man told him an officer was shot.

Toth explained he wasn't able to verbally get information out of Shuhandler when finding him.

Toth said the only description he gave of the suspect was, "We are looking for a white pickup truck with stuff on it."

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Feb. 3, 2010- Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thursday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- More than 1000 law enforcement officials from around the state pay their respects at the funeral for Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- Pallbearers remove the casket containing Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at the end of his funeral at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- The flag is taken off the coffin during graveside services for slain Gilbert police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix, Ariz. February 3, 2010. The 16-year veteran was shot and killed after a traffic stop January 28, 2010. Michael Chow/The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- Flowers and pictures of Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler adorn the podium at his funeral at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- Pallbearers bring in the officer's casket at the funeral for Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- Pallbearers remove the officer's casket from the hearse at the funeral for Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- Gilbert Police Officer Patrick Shipp, honor guard member, waits for the procession to begin at the funeral for Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- Glendale Police Sgt. Max Merritt polishes his motorcycle as other members of the motorcycle procession gather before the funeral for Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- Police Chaplain, Rabbi Robert L. Kravitz officiates at the funeral for Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- Larry Mendelsohn, Lt. Eric Shuhandler's brother-in-law speaks of the closeness he and his family felt for "Uncle Eric" at the funeral for Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- Gilbert Police Lieutenant, Hugh White speaks of Lt. Shuhandler's humor and passion at the funeral for Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- Police Chaplain, Rabbi Robert L. Kravitz listens as Lt. Shuhandler's friends share their memories at the funeral for Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic

Feb. 3, 2010- Town of Gilbert Assistant Town Manager, Tami Ryall discribes the huge heart Lt. Shuhandler had for his life and the people who shared it with him at the funeral for Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler at WestWorld of Scottsdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Shuhandler was killed during a traffic stop, Thurday evening, Jan. 28, 2010 near Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Two men are in custody. The 16-year Gilbert Police Department veteran is the second from the department to be killed in the line of duty, and is to be buried at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix. Charlie Leight/ The Republic